Rafael Nadal won his third straight three set match today in Basel, turning away Marin Cilic 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. It wasn’t Nadal’s best stuff, but after an early break in the third the former No. 1 cruised to victory over the 2014 US Open champ, and continued to rebuild his confidence.

On a long day in which all four quarterfinal matches went the distance, Richard Gasquet kept his slim London hopes alive saving a match point to beat Ivo Karlovic in a final set breaker 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-6(6).

Karlovic falls to 0-9 this year in final set breakers.

Gasquet, who has to win both Basel and Paris to have any chance at London, moves on to face Nadal in the semifinals.

Jack Sock continued his rise beating compatriot Donald Young in three sets 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. All three wins this week for Sock have come at the expense of fellow Americans.

“It feels great. I didn’t expect to play three Americans in a row coming over here to Europe in the fall,” said Sock who also beat Denis Kudla and John Isner. “But it’s good for American tennis. Unfortunately, I had to play three friends in a row. But it feels good to be in my first semi.”

Awaiting Sock in the semis is 6-time champion Roger Federer. The Swiss superstar needed to three sets to brush off David Goffin in a match that ended close to midnight. In the rematch of the 2014 Basel final, Federer won again this time 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

Federer beat Sock in their only meeting earlier this year at Indian Wells 6-3, 6-2.

Oki,
I think they have cameras that are permanently zoomed on coaches, it is up to the the person, whatever his name is, who has the control of all the cameras in action to choose which one he is to show us.

The only positive for Fed should they meet tomorrow is that everybody broke Nadal’s serve multiple times this week, so if he doesn’t, than things will look really bad for him. If he is n a great serving day than he should have his chances, but I rather see him losing straight out than lead and lose like all those guys.

And Nadal having a decent fall season, finals in Beijing, Semis in Shangai and at least finals in Basel.

The match with Fed tomorrow could be a turning point. If Nadal wins, 6th straight win over Fed, and first HC title since Doha 2014. If Fed wins, 7th title, break the streak if 5 losses (the most in their rivalry so far( and maybe can even get anther win in London. Because if he can’t beat this Nadal who is struggling against everybody, he won’t get any more good chances on fast courts.

Also Nadal felt somthing innhis right knee during end of second set, it was with a tape later on. Hope is not an issue.
Long time since he hasn’t complain frok knew or needed to use those bands anymore.

Bargain for Fed! Told you that Rafa is silly, he trained like crazy for the end of the year！And will not rest much for the end of the trar. By the time, French Open finish next year. He will ended up in hospital.

Still think Fed is slight faborite tomorrow. He is still servinf great and if he get rhytm he should attack net and shorten points. He won’t play too much into Nadal’s way (as Nadal was able to dictate in the past). Also Nadal’s serve is vulnerable and he is still making a few errors. Fed still didn’t play this new Nadal so unless Nadal has a super performance (which I doubt with courts and indoor) or unless Fed really feels mentally he should win.

But the prt I don’t like is Fed is shakimg a few FH way too long, he needs to clean that stroke. When his serve and FH are clicking even with ocasional top spin to his BH he should be more relaxed. Also crowd support.

@Rick…..I re-read your comment….You said that many years his career ended after the French….I guess by some people’s estimation you could say it ended. But most everyone is in agreement that with his style of play, he was usually tuckered out by the last half of the season. Having said that, he won some masters series titles after the French, if I’m not mistaken…..